RIchard F. Mackey

http://billerica.org/richard-f-dick-mackey-p1780-115.htm

TEWKSBURY; Richard F. “Dick” Mackey, age 85, a resident of Billerica since 1972, died Tuesday, January 11, 2011. He died peacefully with his family and friends at his side.

Born in East Boston on April 19, 1925, he was the son of the late Jeremiah. and Alice (Colbert) Mackey. Dick was raised in Tewksbury and attended Tewksbury schools.

In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Mackey served during World War II in Iceland and aboard the U.S.S. McGowan, DD-678. Prior to his honorable discharge from active duty, he was awarded a number of decorations including a Naval Commendation, the Combat Action Ribbon, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 10 Bronze Battle Stars and 1 silver Battle Star, the European-African Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Occupational Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Philippine Republic Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal with 2 Bronze Battle Stars and the Philippine Independence Medal.

In 1948, Dick married Marguerite Searles in Tewksbury’s Saint Williams Church. They settled in Southern California where they had six children. They remained in So. Cal. for 10 years. The family moved back to Massachusetts in 1962. There Dick was employed as a production control supervisor by the Verbex System Company of Cambridge until his retirement in 1986.

He was a life member of the V.F.W. Post # 8819 of Billerica and the D.A.V. Post # 47 of Billerica. In addition, he was a member and organizer of the U.S.S. McGowan Reunion Association.

Dick is survived by his beloved friend and companion of 27 years, Gloria (Brenda) Brisendine. He is survived by three daughters and two sons: Ellen Mackey of Sun Valley, CA; Mary Beth MacLean and her husband, Donald, of Salina, KS; Theresa James and her husband, Bernard, of Concordia, KS; Dennis Mackey and his wife, Nancy, of Tucson, AZ; and Stephen Mackey and his wife, Linda, of Merced, CA. Dick was the father of the late Betsy Mackey.

Dick is also survived by his four sisters and two brothers: Ellen “Peg” Keefe, Mary “Allie” Casazza, Theresa “Tess” Berube, Rita O'Brien Dee, Edward “Ned” Mackey, and James Mackey and his wife Carol all of Tewksbury, MA. Additionally survived by 15 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins.

Memorial website: http://richard-mackey.last-memories.com

Calling hours Sunday, Jan. 16, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral Monday, Jan. 17, at 9 a.m., from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Williams Church 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, suggested memorial contributions to the Billerica V.F.W. Post # 8819 Phinney St., Billerica, MA 01821. — WWW.Billerica Townie News